Acebal de Garagüeta, Holly forest natural reserve in Soria, Spain.
Acebal de Garagüeta is a protected forest reserve in Soria, Spain, dominated by holly trees spread across hundreds of hectares. The dense woodland creates natural vault-like canopies that filter light and shape the forest floor.
The reserve gained official protection status in 2008 through regional legislation designed to preserve its ecological significance. This designation recognized that this particular forest type had become increasingly rare in the region.
The forest holds meaning for local communities as a living landscape shaped by generations of careful stewardship. Visitors can see how conservation and traditional land use practices work together to maintain the area.
Access to the reserve begins by taking the N-111 road toward Almarza and continuing toward Arévalo de la Sierra, where an information center offers maps and guidance. From there, visitors can explore marked trails throughout the forest.
The temperature inside the holly canopy is noticeably cooler than outside, creating sheltered pockets that vary with the seasons. This natural cooling effect provides refuge for wildlife during extreme weather.
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